The Flute Book: A Complete Guide for Students and Performers, 2nd Edition

This book is a great read and a great reference. I'm not a professional flutist, but as a serious amateaur I really enjoy(ed) this book. Having too many books in my library that go unread already, I borrowed this one from my local library and, after checking it out the allowable amount of times, I simply had to buy it. I'm excited to have my own copy now as I can highlight and dog-ear the edges to my heart's content. I look forward to years worth of repeated referencing and reading from this work and to purchasing the 3d edition, if indeed Nancy decides to update this in a few years.

Nancy Toff has left nothing out of this grand book -- the history, anatomy, selection, and care of the flute in its popular and more esoteric forms; an extensive discussion on the development of not only classical and modern technique, but also personal style; building a repertoire and creating or finding performance opportunities; the history of flute music, and authoritative suggestions for building a sheet and recorded music library; countless charts and reference materials -- all has been included that a flute player, whether amateur or professional, student or teacher, could and would want to know and reference in the course of their playing career. And if one happens to find anything not included, I feel confident that Ms. Toff would personally see to correcting the matter immediately. An absolute must; look no further, oh wearied flutists (as Ms. Toff insists you are to be called, and not flautists, based on a well-researched etymological conclusion), for your redemption is at hand.

I find this book absolutely helpful but I just want to say that what a pity that only paperback is available. It would be nice to have hardback version..

I require this book in my flute pedagogy courses at McNeese State University. It is well-researched, easy to read and comprehend, and has wonderful appendices of literature and resources for further research. Nancy is a fine scholar, and is extremely well-respected in the world of flutists.